One of the best (the panel process) and also worst (the subsequent onboarding) experiences of my career.
A brilliant panel experience with an in-person interview where I was asked questions about my career and my CV rather than the usual dull 'tell me about a time you have had to...' yawn fest.
They picked about and probed whilst the conversation flowed and I got to talk all about me rather than trying to squeeze something into the necessary shape to fit a specific standard question.
Unfortunately the admin system that sat around the process was terrible:
Having applied and been interviewed on the strength of my career history, not qual's -as I hold none, I was asked to present copies of my qualifications both straight after the interview itself and by a very abrupt letter threatening to withdraw my offer if I didn't comply. This led to some difficult conversations and email exchanges before the hiring manager was able to tell DMU People Services to call off their dogs.
Similarly DMU people services also sent out a very abrupt letter to my referees asking for absurd levels of details as to the volume of sick days, care of issued items and other stuff that the referees had no idea as to how to answer. This again was left to me to chase about and get clarity as to if it was a deal breaker to which someone at DMU People Services when I finally got them to answer the phone said 'oh no most people ignore that' which beggared the question why include it and put threatening text to the effect of if it is not answered the candidate wont get a job.
DMU People services also went on to re-christen me with a new name and refused to change it on the university systems and elsewhere despite writing to me in my actual name as I was unable to produce a passport or driving license (I don't drive due to disability and haven't left the uk in a decade), the net result being I had to go to Director level to get someone to listen to me and change my name on the university systems to my own actual name as listed on my bank cards etc.
Whilst the panel was good sadly I now have to put up with the lackluster capability of SDMU People Services quite regularly.